Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-01-29
Dr. Ilatcher,s views on cIureriu MS.

DR. Hatcher's views on Cluvcrius.
In the last issue ofthe Baltimore
Eap:ist, Ito which journal he is a
regular contributor) Rev. DR..
Hatcher has u letter on the lasr
days Of Cluverius. After sketch
ing the case very briefly, the Poe
tor says.
1t fell to my lot to be the prison.
er's pastor in his prison life and az
one of those who were left in doubt
lis to the justice of his sentence, |
found my position one of indescIih.
able pcrplexity and sadness. |
sought honestly toprobc his heart,
and bring out his bloody secret if it
was there. In that unpleasant task
had the help ofsomo and the con-
slant counsel of others. If my
methods were not wise, they were
at least approved by men whose
judgmentand wisdom have learn
ed to trust in other things. The
prisoners family, while protesting
tlHir belief in his innocence, sup.
ported me thoroughly in my en-
deavor to lead him to an open con
fession of any connection he might
-frave Tttiii-iissiainHi,ler.- ~---'----------
But he wa.s steadlast and lnllcx.
IDLE in the avGwal of his innocence.
He stood like alfortreSS, and nelth-
er warning, entIeaty, nor the open
gateway of eternity. could drive
him toa confession. The original
believers in his guilt maintained ut
first that it was tie hope of escape
from his doom thaS sealed his lips,
and confidently pred 'cted that with
the death of his earthly hope would
come the confession OF his quit
Hope died but the confession new.
er came. They were willing to
stake their faith in his guilt upon
the inevitable certainty OF his con-
Iession at the last; but when he
died proclaiming his innocence
they found in his refusal to verify
their predictions the proof OF his
monStrous heartlossness and WICK
edncsS.
For my part, did not know
My mind WAS poised in doubt, and
so my lips were sill, Mt. Ii lie died
a guilty man, bow guilty he was! i
Ii not guilty, then what a pity that
such ii bright young life should
have been quenched i'll the black.
hess Of sllalne2 Those who doubt
must wait. Perhaps their waiting
will not be long; but possibly they
will not know until they stand i'll
the presence of Him before whom
all secrets shall be revealed.
shrink with unieigncd horror
from the idea Of utteriDg any over
confident belief as to the fate OF
this young mans soul. A reporter
asked me if | thought thai he vas
prepared for heaven. That qnes-
lion dare not answer. Those who
wish may talk in exultant rapture
over the salvation OF men who die
on The gallows, or with savage au-
thority as to their inevitable dc
struction from the presence OF God.
can do neither the one nor the
other Of these things. As best l
could l told the young man of the
infinite grace Of God aud urged
him to hang his hopes upon the
cross. With that, if faithfully done,
my duty ended.
1t is matter of fact, however,
that the young nau met his death,
with extraordinary composure, and
declared in his last moments that
his trust was in Christ rs his Say
lour, and that he did not dread the
future. In my Judgment that pro
fession of faith must have been un-
awaiting, if with his dying lips he
refused to uncover a mulderer'S SO
crct.
But il he was, as he said he was,
innocent Of tile crime, and his faith
was vital and pentent, then there
was for him n glorious reward be-
you'd the confines Of that darkness
INTO which he WAS SO suddenly
thrust.
One thing, and that the last Of
his life, was surprisingly pathetic.
1t touched me profoundly aud | can
never forget it: When Oh the scat
fold told him farewell, calmly and
without a tremOr he said: "Good-
bye, Doctor; please try to comfort
them at home, and give them my
love-" These were his last words.
| send this letter with hesitation,
but it touches subject of unspeak.
able interest to many under whose
eyes it will come. 1t is for them
that l have written.
Hurriedly,
". e. Ell.